A rental car transforms certain European destinations from good to extraordinary. Albania's Riviera, Montenegro's mountain interior, Crete's south coast, Slovenia's Lake Bled to Postojna Cave — none of these are properly accessible by public transport. Knowing how to rent smartly saves €50–150 on a typical booking. Here's everything you need.
✔ Book early — prices rise sharply in the 2 weeks before pick-up
✔ Full-to-full fuel policy: always return with a full tank
✔ Cross-border travel: declare upfront — some companies restrict it
✔ Excess insurance: decline the rental desk upsell, buy separately
✔ Automatic vs manual: automatics cost more, specify if needed
Why DiscoverCars?
DiscoverCars
DiscoverCars searches across all major rental companies — Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt, Budget, local operators — and shows real total prices including all mandatory fees upfront. No hidden charges revealed at the desk. Their Full Coverage option (€8–15/day extra) eliminates the excess entirely, so you're not liable for any damage. 70% commission share and 365-day cookie make it the best-performing car rental affiliate in travel.
Compare Prices →Where a Rental Car is Essential in Europe
🇦🇱 Albania
A rental car is not optional for Albania — it's the difference between seeing 20% and 100% of the country. The Albanian Riviera's finest beaches (Gjipe, Dhermi, Palasa), the mountain villages above Gjirokastër, the road to Theth and the Llogara Pass descent are all unreachable without a car. Public buses (furgons) exist but are slow, infrequent and don't stop at the best spots. Rent from Tirana airport — book 4–6 weeks ahead in summer. Fuel is significantly cheaper than Western Europe.
→ Compare Car Rental in Albania🇬🇷 Crete
Crete is 260km long — the largest Greek island demands a car. Without one you'll see Heraklion and Chania and miss the Samaria Gorge trailhead, Balos lagoon approach, Elafonisi, Preveli Beach, the Lasithi Plateau and the extraordinary south coast. Rent from either Heraklion (HER) or Chania (CHQ) airport. Book 4–6 weeks ahead for summer. ATVs are popular on the island — fine for beaches, but for multi-day exploration a proper car is better.
→ Compare Car Rental in Crete🇲🇪 Montenegro
Montenegro's two greatest experiences — Durmitor National Park and the complete Bay of Kotor circuit — both require a car. The bus from Kotor to Perast is infrequent. There is no bus to Durmitor from the coast. The mountain road to the top of the Kotor Serpentine (best view in the country) has no public transport. Rent from Tivat or Podgorica airport. Cross-border travel to Albania requires declaration and is allowed by most major companies.
→ Compare Car Rental in Montenegro🇸🇮 Slovenia
Slovenia is tiny (120km across) but the highlights are spread out — Lake Bled, Postojna Cave, Predjama Castle, the Soča Valley and the Triglav National Park all require different directions from Ljubljana. A car covers the entire country in a day. Trains connect Ljubljana to the major cities but not the alpine sights. Rent from Ljubljana airport (LJU).
→ Compare Car Rental in Slovenia🇭🇷 Dubrovnik Region
Dubrovnik itself is best without a car — the old town is pedestrianised and parking is a nightmare. But for the surroundings (Konavle Valley, Ston, the Pelješac Peninsula, the Neretva Delta) a car is excellent. Most useful for arriving/departing Dubrovnik on a Balkans road trip rather than renting just for the city.
→ Compare Car Rental in CroatiaHow to Save Money on Car Rental
💰 Book Early
Car rental prices work like flights — the earlier you book, the cheaper the rate. A compact car booked 6 weeks ahead typically costs 40–60% less than the same car booked 3 days before pick-up. Set a reminder to book rental cars at the same time as flights.
🔄 Full-to-Full Fuel Policy
Always choose full-to-full (you collect with a full tank, return with a full tank). Never accept pre-purchase fuel options — you'll pay for a full tank regardless of what you use. Full-to-full lets you return with the tank genuinely full and pay only for fuel used.
🛡️ Excess Insurance — Don't Buy at the Desk
The rental desk upsell for excess insurance (CDW/Super CDW) costs €15–25/day and is their highest-margin product. DiscoverCars' Full Coverage option (€8–15/day when booked online in advance) provides identical or better protection. Alternatively, some travel insurance policies and premium credit cards include rental car excess cover — check before booking.
📍 One-Way Rentals
Renting in one city and dropping off in another costs a one-way fee (€50–200 depending on distance and company). For Balkans road trips — Dubrovnik pick-up, Tirana drop-off, or vice versa — this is often worth the fee. Compare total costs including one-way charges on DiscoverCars before booking.
🚗 Car Size for Balkans Roads
A compact (Ford Fiesta/VW Polo size) or economy car is ideal for the Balkans — smaller than most road widths, easy to park in old town areas and cheaper to fill. Avoid large SUVs for coastal driving. An SUV or 4x4 is useful only for the unpaved road to Theth in Albania or remote mountain tracks — everywhere else a regular car is fine.
Compare Car Rental Prices Across Europe
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Compare Now →Road Trip Routes Worth Renting For
The Adriatic to Balkans route (Dubrovnik → Montenegro → Albania) — arguably the finest road trip in Europe right now. Pick up in Dubrovnik, drive to Kotor (2hrs), continue to Shkodër, Albania (3hrs), down the Riviera to Saranda and Ksamil (3hrs). Drop off in Tirana or return the same way. 10–14 days is ideal.
Slovenia circuit — Ljubljana → Bled → Bohinj → Soča Valley → Postojna → Piran → Ljubljana. 5–7 days, entirely beautiful, excellent roads throughout.
Crete coast-to-coast — Heraklion → Samaria Gorge → Elafonisi → Chania → Rethymno → Knossos → Heraklion. 7 days, covers east and west, extraordinary variety.
FAQs
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Europe?
EU/EEA licence holders don't need an IDP in EU countries. UK licence holders don't need one in most European countries. For Albania and some non-EU countries, an IDP is recommended — check the specific country requirements before travelling.
Can I take a rental car from Croatia into Montenegro and Albania?
Yes — but you must declare cross-border travel when booking. Most major companies allow this for an additional fee. Some budget companies prohibit it entirely. Always confirm in writing before collecting the car.
What age do you need to be to rent in Europe?
Most companies require a minimum age of 21 and a full licence held for at least 1 year. Drivers under 25 typically pay a 'young driver surcharge' of €5–15/day. Over 70 may face age restrictions with some companies — check when booking.
Is automatic or manual better for the Balkans?
Either works on main roads. Manual is more common (and cheaper) in rental fleets. For mountain roads and Albanian driving conditions, some find automatic easier. Specify your preference when booking as automatics are limited in availability.